New Delhi: A six-year-old pug rescued from South Korea’s dog-meat trade has found an unlikely second act in California after being crowned the world’s “ugliest dog”. With pearls around her neck, she beat out stiff competition for the coveted title.
The pug, Jinny Lu, took the title at the 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest on 14 August at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, California. Now in its 50th year, the annual competition celebrates dogs for their unconventional looks to promote animal rescue and adoption.
It was Jinny Lu’s fourth attempt at the crown and earned her owner, Michelle Grady, a $5,000 prize. The other contenders came from as far away as Poland. An albino Chihuahua-Pomeranian mix named Pinky finished second, while Chihuahua mix Otto came third.
Jinny Lu was rescued from the dog-meat trade in South Korea before being adopted through Pug Rescue four years ago. According to MUG Root Beer, the official sponsor of the contest, she has since become a source of “mischief and joy” for Grady.
“She absolutely loves competition, meeting everyone, and everything the event stands for,” Grady said in a statement.
But Jinny Lu’s life after rescue has taken her well beyond the competition circuit. Since her adoption, she has accompanied Grady and other rescue pugs to elementary schools in Northern California, where they teach children about the importance of adopting pets. She has also visited hospice patients and people in memory care facilities.
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The contest, which has been held for half a century, uses its unusual premise to promote a more serious message. Organisers say it celebrates the “unique imperfections” that make every dog special and reminds people that appearance should not determine whether an animal gets a loving home.
Rescue animals have long featured prominently among the contestants, including past winners with disabilities, deformities or histories of abuse and neglect.
“The World’s Ugliest Dog Contest has never really been about finding the world’s ugliest dog,” noted a statement from Mandy Clendenen, CEO of the Sonoma-Marin Agricultural Association. “For 50 years, this event has celebrated the uniqueness of every dog while sharing an important message of compassion, rescue, and acceptance.”
(Edited by Asavari Singh)